I'm still waiting for Bill Gates to buy the SS United States, refit her with modern gas turbine or diesel propulsion and rename her the MS United States. MS as in motor ship but also MS as in Microsoft.

Steve

I’ve been wondering for a while now why we haven’t seen this actually happen already. If you look into the world of restored warplanes, they’ve been doing it for years. Some planes practically look like flying billboards with donor’s names on them.
But going back to the original topic, does anyone know the specifics on the construction of this ‘train’? For a mockup, it sure looks impressive. I assume these are some sort of panel tracks laid in place? How far out of the venue did they go? I wonder how sturdy this is and what’s going to happen to it now? Sure seems like a lot of work for a prop that would only be noticed for a few moments, but the fashion world is really big money, so the press this train got would probably be worth it in the long run.

"Definitely not a real boiler and cylinders or carriage, but WAY above-average detail work on the wheels, etc."--Alexander D. Mitchell IV

Well, to me it looks like a caricature, like a Lionel train from the 1920s or early 1930s, what with that bright (to us) blue paint and that brass. The kid lost the tender, too!

What's interesting about this representation to me is a combination of some sort of finish work in the passenger car that looks awfully good for a one-shot deal like this fashion show, and also that the locomotive appears to have a lot of North American influence in its design (the drivers and trailer truck look like something from under an NYC Hudson), and that includes its sound effects (chime whistle, bell).

Who says foreign tourists wouldn't want to see America by rail? Who says they wouldn't want to see America by rail--and behind American steam? Amtrak, are you listening?

"Rather sad that the train looks better than the fashions it introduced."--Mike From Montana

Hmm, did you notice how those high-priced fashion models all look so dour? I think they may have better taste in clothes than the designers. . .and I wonder how many of those models thought those hats were horrible for hiding so much of their faces, particularly their eyes. . .those should be the most interesting parts of a woman, and I think they know that, too. . .

"Well, if we could get people to pay $2,000 for an excursion experience or $10 million for Reading 2100 just by applying a certain person's logo or name on it, we'd be doing some spectacular things as well.

"Me, I just don't feel right trying to take advantage of that obvious flaw in human nature and character."--Alexander D. Mitchell IV

Mr. Mitchell, you have too many scruples!! :-)

"I'm still waiting for Bill Gates to buy the SS United States, refit her with modern gas turbine or diesel propulsion and rename her the MS United States. MS as in motor ship but also MS as in Microsoft."--Steve

Awe, man, don't you know that the Big U's aircraft carrier power plant is one of its notable design features? It not only has compound steam turbines (no surprise there), but it also has what I would call compound propellers. The aft pair of propellers have five blades to make better use of the turbulent water from the forward pair of propellers which, running in clearer water, have only four blades. This, a beautifully efficient hull design, and weight reduction with the extensive use of aluminum, are parts of what made the ship so fast.

http://www.ss-united-states.net/SSUnite ... sFacts.htm

http://www.ss-united-states.net/SSUnite ... agesHP.htm

http://www.ss-united-states.net/SSUnite ... USTour.htm

http://www.ss-united-states.net/SSUnite ... ngine1.gif

http://www.ss-united-states.net/SSUnite ... gine2a.jpg

While I have no doubt the "locomotive" was hand built, from scratch, it ain't no steam locomotive. NO smoke, maybe theatrical smoke and lots of mirrors! Fun, anyway.

Hallo Hallo. That Louis Vitton "train" was actually fitted out on the inside too.

Check out this photo on the inside of the coach.

http://omg.yahoo.com/photos/what-were-they-thinking-03-09-slideshow/sarah-jessica-parker-photo-1331249448.html

Men who design women's clothes must really hate women. No wonder the models all look so mad.

Careful, someone's wife has that outfit.

what happens when it runs into the blue screen of icebergs?

When it comes to glamour girls and steam locomotives, has anyone ever seen the famous war time photo of the girls pulling the steam locomotive? I think I have a book that has this photo in it but couldn't find one online anywhere.